Happy Wednesday morning from Canada, where we actually get our comics! Here’s some nice, spoiler-free thoughts on the stuff I’ve read this morning.
Sensational Spider-Man #41
J. Michael Straczynski & Joe Quesada
If you were down on this story so far, don’t expect this to change your mind. This story arc is turning out to be about as lame and hackneyed as everyone feared, consisting of a series of unpredictable deus ex machinas to bring about a status quo change. I doubt it’s all said and done just yet, and there’ll be some twist in the fourth installment, but as a story this really kind of sucks. D+
Batman #671
Grant Morrison & Tony Daniel
On the other side of the crossover spectrum, Resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul reaches its midpoint with tons of revelations within. It seems odd that the event’s architect, Grant Morrison, would make this halfway point his final issue of the crossover, but this does serve as a sort of thematic climax and it could all be pieces falling into place from here. This crossover is nothing if not unpredictable, though, so all bets are off — which, combined with Morrison’s usual deft skill with complex superhero action, makes this issue an A-
X-Men #205
Mike Carey & Chris Bachalo
It’s a Mike Carey fight issue, which means it’s filled with quips that seem somewhat more droll than the characters usually exhibit, and it also doesn’t matter because the fight is usually creative. Except here. It’s a pretty standard superhero fight, through and through, with an appropriate (if somewhat predictable) reveal ending to cap off the crossover’s first month. Not a weak installment if you’re invested in this story, but it’s not a standout high point, either. B
Green Lantern Corps #18
Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason w/Jamal Igle
Sodam Yat: Now somewhat less of a random cipher! This is the Superman-Prime/Ion fight we’ve been promised for a while, except it really just uses that as a framing device for fleshing out who Sodam Yat is. The art’s very pretty, with Patrick Gleason handling the fight in the present day and a Jamal Igle/Jerry Ordway tagteam handling Sodam’s rather interesting past. Apparently, Daxamites are assholes. I’m warming up to Tomasi. B+
Superman Annual #13
Kurt Busiek & Carlos Pacheco
Kurt Busiek, Fabian Nicieza & Renato Guedes
This is the much-delayed end of “Camelot Falls,” and, well, honestly, it’s kind of a letdown. I loved the holy hell out of this arc back when it was something that came out on a semi-regular basis, but the incessant delays really hurt the story’s momentum until it seems almost like a curiosity now that it’s finally out. Some stuff happens, Superman punches people, ominous ending. Busiek, Nicieza and Renato “Healthy Supergirl” Guedes contribute a very wholesome backup story about the entire extended Kent/El family going on a trip to some alien planet. It’s fun, but not gun-to-your-head required-reading. B- overall
All Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder #8
Frank Miller & Jim Lee
Somehow, every issue of this series takes what we thought was 11 on the previous issue, recalibrates it to 10, and then, once again, Spinal Tap style, takes it to 11. This is completely, awesomely ridiculous. A
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